Episode 24
It's all...
...Guo Zhads fault.
She's at fault.
She killed my mother.
She made my mother hold rice bran in her mouth...
...and cover her face with her hair.
She's driving away my family.
I want her dead.
I want her to hold rice bran in her mouth...
...and cover her face with her hair.
Your Majesty.
I'll execute her right away.
I want her dead.
You have military followers and prestige...
...as well as political status and support of the nobility.
Why can't you make it when Wu Emperor and Wen Emperor could?
Wei of the Cao family...
...is unlike the deteriorating Eastern Han.
Wu Emperor and Wen Emperor were powerful rulers.
The emperor is keen and determined.
His Majesty is far better than Emperor Xian of Han.
The Great Wei is getting stronger and winning the people.
If I gain the rebellious will...
...I'll be killed by the nobility.
Then, I won't just lose my prestige...
...our family...
...will be known by the history for its foolish failure.
You always gain the upper hand. Would you afraid of one loss?
Zhao.
I want you to make an oath at this Wei River.
What's it?
You'll serve the Great Wei...
...forever.
I swear to the Wei River. Sima Zhao...
...will serve the Great Wei forever.
How rude of you! No one can stop me today!
Step aside!
Your Highness.
I'm late to prevent the insult.
He used to call me mother.
It's all because I didn't guide him well.
I feel sorry to the late emperor.
Get up, Sir Chen. -Thank you, Your Highness.
I'm tired of it.
I don't want to stand against the emperor anymore.
Please deliver my message to His Majesty.
Allow me to die peacefully for the sake of each other.
No, Your Highness.
His Majesty is just confused by the evil. Please be rest assured.
I'll stop His Majesty from going against...
...the moral and filialness.
Who are you calling unfilial and evil?
It's you I'm calling!
You're just a eunuch! How dare you ride on top of Her Highness?
I can kill you right away.
Come to me!
Save your energy, Sir Chen.
Yes, I'm a eunuch.
What about you?
The Great Wei belongs to His Majesty.
You're the minister when you're appointed by His Majesty...
...but you're nothing when you're unwanted...
---bY His Majesty.
Mind your words. Sir Chen is the Regent...
...appointed by the late emperor.
Regent. I almost forgot.
Her Highness has another backup.
Sima Yi.
He's a Regent too.
So, Your Highness gained the courage...
...to harm the young princess with dark magic, right?
Why do I want to harm the princess?
This is excavated from here.
Since the Han Dynasty was founded...
...dark magic can kill a mass amount of people...
...which is ominous to our kingdom.
I'm the empress appointed by His Majesty's father.
I won't do anything unfavourable to the Great Wei.
Let His Majesty do it if he wants to kill me.
Take her away!
I dare you! This is absurd!
You're shameless. You're extremely shameless!
Order your men to kill me.
Come on! Kill me! -You...
Shame on you!
Today, I want to see how far you can go!
I'm the Ministry of Works, in charge of the state affairs!
Whoever dares to approach Her Highness...
...should first step over my body!
Come and step over my body!
You... -The history will mention...
...of the emperor killing his mother and...
...the eunuch killing the Minister of Works!
Sir Chen.
You're so ill-tempered.
Your brother is so carefree.
He never sends anyone to inform me after he's reached Chang'an.
Not even a letter.
He's been sewing the kingdom for years.
Don't you know his reason of doing so?
He feels at ease in Chang'an more than here.
Brother, stay for dinner.
Here is quite empty after your second brother and Zhao have left.
Sure. Thank you, sister-in-law.
We're family.
Brother Jibu. -Sima Fu.
What's the matter? -inform Sima Yi immediately.
Bixie has surrounded Yong'an Palace.
Zhao is in danger?
Sir Sima Fu wishes to see Your Majesty.
So, he's sent his younger brother here.
Let him in. I don't fear them.
Your Majesty governs the kingdom by filial piety.
The Empress Dowager shouldn't to be mistreated by a eunuch.
You've come to remind me.
It's your family that presented Guo Zhao to the late emperor.
Is it possible that...
...you're also responsible for the princess' death?
Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is really innocent.
Your Majesty is brought up by her. She's Your Majesty's mother.
My mother has been killed by you all!
Asasom...
...I failed to protect my mother. I'm unfilial.
However, as the ministers, You failed to...
...protect the Empress Dowager. This is disloyalty!
We're just the same.
The Great Wei will last long!
Your Majesty. -Take him away.
Take him away! -Your Majesty!
Don't disrespect the Empress Dowager!
Your Majesty shouldn't disrespect the Empress Dowager!
Your Majesty shouldn't kill your mother!
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty, Chen Qun is guarding Yong'an Palace.
I come to request him to be dragged out of the palace.
We can execute Guo Zhao at once...
...but Chen Qun is the leader of the nobility.
He's supported by hundreds of officers.
I dare not lead greater complications to Your Majesty.
Let him stay.
I'm waiting for a person. -Who's it?
Chen Qun is nothing.
Sima Yi is the one I worry the most.
He has a troop of 100,000 in Chang'an.
He'll rise to rebellion if I execute Guo Zhao.
But he'll stop Your Majesty once he learns about this situation.
Last time, Sima Yi gave up military power...
...to rescue Guo Zhao in collusion with Cao Zhen.
Now as a prestigious person...
...with students all over the state...
...he might set off a great storm.
So what?
I'm curious of what he can do this time.
Execution will be carried out for sure.
It's just a matter of time.
I'm waiting for a bowl of plum soup from you.
Lady, it's strange. Azalea flowers are still blooming in this season.
Yes, it's quite unusual.
Could this be a sign of some unusual occurrence?
Look, Lun. ls the flower pretty, or me?
I'm talking to you.
Mother, you've asked me yesterday.
I didn't ask you while holding azalea flowers in my hand.
It's you. You're the prettiest in the world.
You keep interrupting my reading.
What's wrong with complementing me?
If I don't look good you won't look good either.
You don't want me here, but your father does.
Come. -Here.
Make it shorter.
Out of the way!
Hurry!
Quick! Surround it!
Madam Lingyun and Lady Yuan.
Calm down. Take a gulp.
The imperial court has sent soldiers to surround the mansion.
What's going on? -His Majesty has taken action.
No way. I need to inform Sima Yi.
But there are soldiers out there. We can't get out at all.
Mother, I'll go.
You're still young. -This is why...
...I won't draw anyone's attention.
You're right, but...
Right, madam. There's a dog hole at the horse barn.
Master Lun is small enough to get out from there.
He just has to bear with it.
Let's hurry. I'll write a letter to your father now.
Yuan, bring me needle and thread. -Yes.
No matter what happens, you and your father should live on for me.
I know, mother.
We need to advise His Majesty about the construction slowly.
We mustn't use mean words to provoke His Majesty.
We count on you now, Sun Li.
I know it's difficult to you. I'll be careful.
I'll take leave.
Father!
Father. -Why are you here?
Father.
Brother Zhao. -What's it, Lun?
This is a letter from mother.
The princess has died from illness.
His Majesty is accusing the Empress Dowager.
Uncle is imprisoned after he pleaded for her.
What about mother and Brother Shi? - Our house is surrounded by army.
I'm the only one out to deliver the news.
They take action as soon as Zhuge Liang is dead.
They're fast.
Zhao.
Gather the transaction record of Shu brocade...
...from Chang'an in the past 3 years.
Prepare relief supply immediately. We'll meet His Majesty.
Yes.
Chunhua.
Brother Ji, how's the Empress Dowager?
Sir Chen's confronting His Majesty at Yong'an Palace...
...but that won't solve the problem.
I'll bring you and Shi out. Prepare for the breakthrough.
No. My family is still here.
Both your daughters-in-law are from noble family.
His Majesty won't harm them...
...in favour of their fathers.
No, I can't leave my family behind.
Besides, I can't turn Sima Yi against the Great Wei.
But all of us will die if you hesitate.
Chunhua, we'll first meet Sima Yi...
...and plan for the next move. -Brother Ji.
Even if we die, we should die with honour.
I'm his wife.
I need to protect the family when he isn't around.
Master, you're back. -How's Her Highness?
She's at Yong'an Palace. Sir Chen is sitting in the palace...
...and protecting Her Highness. -Where's His Majesty?
His Majesty is at Lingyun Stage.
His Majesty's actually probing you through threatening Her Highness.
His Majesty may seem young and capricious...
...but he's aware of political trick. He intends to take control.
So, he's trying to break free from regents and gain authority.
Power disputes are all about living or death.
Someone is meant to be sacrificed. You won't get to protect everyone.
Zhong Hui, how can you say so?
We should know what to do. Empress Dowager has got involved.
Please reconsider. -My official robe.
Yes. Bring the official robe! -Yes!
Report! Sima Yi has entered the city!
Your Majesty, should we do it now?
Wait.
Report! Sima Yi has entered the palace. He's put on official robe.
Now, Your Majesty?
He's really steady.
Report! Sima Yi has arrived at Lingyun Stage.
He's climbing up the stairs.
Go.
I'll serve plum soup to Your Majesty later.
Your humble servant, Sima Yi. - Your humble servant, Sima Zhao.
Greetings, Your Majesty.
Long live...
...Your Majesty.
You've come and you've come with your younger son.
Help your father up. - Thank you, Your Majesty.
Grant him a seat. -Yes.
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Your Majesty, I'm aged and muddleheaded.
I'm honoured to live and witness...
...the prosperity of the Great Wei.
This time, I come to deliver forage for Your Majesty.
Also... -You've aided victims in Luoyang.
I should reward you for both your loyalty and sincerity...
...but you're already a minister.
What else should I reward you?
Your Majesty.
The land belongs to the Great Wei.
The crops belong to Your Majesty.
I delivered the forage by your order.
I dare not accept any reward.
Your Majesty, I've also heard the death of young princess...
...and I'm in deep grief.
Life is bound to destiny.
I'd express my condolences.
Take care and don't be overly sad.
Speaking of the young princess...
...I'd admit her destiny...
...but you know what?
My beloved daughter is cursed to death.
This is excavated at Yong'an Palace.
Your Majesty, cloth of the doll is made of Shu brocade.
It's extremely valuable during the war time in recent years.
I have the transaction record of Shu brocade from Chang'an.
It has clearly stated the receipt...
...of which palace and concubine.
In the past 3 years, Yong'an Palace...
...only received green brocade.
Please look into it.
Fine. Even when Yong'an Palace is out of the list...
...the Empress Dowager could get Shu brocade easily.
Your Majesty, Confucius never talked about supernatural power.
Dark magic was initially a fabrication.
Your Majesty shouldn't simply believe in it.
If dark magic is so effective...
...I wouldn't have had to led our army...
...to battle against Shu army for years.
I would've just set up an altar in Luoyang and used some dolls...
...to curse on Liu Shan, Sun Quan and Zhuge Liang.
We'd have pacified the world at ease.
Has Your Majesty forgotten that...
...the late emperor once composed a poem to dispel dark magic?
A wise man distinguishes the true from the false...
...but a foolish man favours rumours.
Yes, the late emperor did mention it.
Well done, Sir Chen. Don't you feel tired?
Why are you back again?
Kill me first before you harm Her Highness!
You're threats to the kingdom! Let me go!
Your Highness!
I'm so incapable!
I'm useless!
Sir Chen.
You've done your best.
The late emperor and I...
...are thankful.
Your Highness!
The son is killing his mother! Come to witness it!
Come to me!
His Majesty ordered me to... - I only have one request.
Die without a stain.
Don't worry.
His Majesty won't mention dark magic anymore from now on.
You'll die of illness based on the history.
You'll be buried as the Empress Dowager...
...with the late emperor in Shouyang Mausoleum.
Your parents will be bestowed as the nobility.
Your siblings will be granted with the marquis title.
Good.
Thank him for me.
Can I meet the late emperor in a proper manner?
Leave here.
Even when she isn't responsible for the princess' death...
...she's responsible for my mother's death, isn't she?
The son should avenge his mother.
As the emperor, I cannot avenge my mother.
I'll be frank with you today.
I can't sleep well as long as she's alive.
Your Majesty, grudges had long formed...
...between Empress Dowager Zhen and the late emperor back then.
Empress Dowager Zhen is killed in order to secure...
...Your Majesty's throne and to prove Your Majesty's legitimacy.
Empress Dowager Guo never plots against Empress Dowager Zhen.
I plead Your Majesty to appreciate...
...the love given by Empress Dowager Guo.
I plead Your Majesty.
You plead for it?
Good. Answer me.
My mother used to plead the late emperor...
"Empress Dowager Guo and even you...
...but what happened in the end?
She's dead.
She's all alone in the tomb...
...holding rice bran in her mouth...
...and her face is covered by his hair.
How pathetic.
Why there's no one who came afar to save her?
All these years, I'm resenting myself...
...over my incapability to save my own mother.
No.
Your Majesty.
The last wish of Empress Dowager Zhen...
...is for Your Majesty to become a great emperor.
Everyone thought Empress Dowager Zhen...
...was killed by the disputes in the harem.
Execution of Empress Dowager Guo will validate the rumour.
Your Majesty should respect Her Highness...
...to scotch the rumour.
Back then...
"Empress Dowager Zhen brought Your Majesty to my mansion.
L---
...kneeled to Her Highness...
...and made an oath with my blood...
...to assist Your Majesty.
Your Majesty was still little on the day...
...when Her Highness passed away.
It's raining heavily.
I carried Your Majesty at the back...
"standing at the staircase right outside.
Your Majesty was beating me and making a fuss...
...by shouting...
..."bring my mother back to life!"
We rolled...
...and crawled...
...to the harem...
...and met Empress Dowager Guo.
After listening to the reason...
...Her Highness said nothing...
...but took Your Majesty to her embrace...
...and called you "Rui".
Your Majesty called her "mother".
Due to that...
...Your Majesty is safe.
The real emperor of the Great Wei...
...is safe.
From then onwards...
"Empress Dowager Guo went through all kinds of hardship...
...to bring up Your Majesty.
Isn't it considered motherly love?
Isn't it considered...
...a mother's affection?
Please accept this...
...Your Highness.
Sima Yi, tell me.
Are you telling me all this due to the relationship between...
...your wife and Empress Dowager Guo?
Your Majesty is the emperor while I'm a minister...
...even Your Majesty intends to kill my wife and sister.
Even if Your Majesty...
...wants to kill me today...
Since ancient times, a minister's life...
...is bound to the emperor's order.
I'd accept it with pleasure.
However, ...
...if Your Majesty wants to become a great emperor...
...you shouldn't go against moral and filialness.
The Wei emperor shouldn't kill his mother!